Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, when you are closest to God and to the essence of your soul.

As the sun is setting, my soul hurts.

It is my first Yom Kippur without Queen E.

We would fast all day and struggle together through the late afternoon, counting the minutes until we could break the fast.

Breaking the fast has always been a highlight.

Just eliminating bad breath from fasting is dynamite.

Growing up, we went to the Pearce’s and a plethora of peeps showed up with great eats.

I don’t know if your are so hungry that anything looks good, but piles of bagels, smoked fish, noodle pudding, chopped liver and my mom’s date and nut bread sure tasted fabulous.

Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” as the verse states, “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God.”

I believe in self cleansing.

No one could be harder on themselves than me.

I eat a slice of pepperoni pizza and atone.

I get impatient with people and regret my actions even though I am justified.

I root for the NY Giants and the 2018 imploding NY Yankees…haven’t I met the daily requirement for suffering?!

I spend money on myself and I self-flagulate.

I feel that I have not accomplished enough in life and I self-inflict great emotional pain.

I give money to protect and preserve animals and donate to shield myself and my fellow Americans against self-involved, selfish republicans and I self-flog about not donating more.

As it is written in the good book, Yom Kippur requests, no demands that for 24 hours we “afflict our souls”: we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or apply lotions or creams, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations (some of my friends and relatives enjoy that proviso).

Instead, we are directed to spend the day in synagogue, praying for forgiveness.

Personally, I think that this year we should eat, drink and be merry and give thanks for surviving the current political environment.

I have been atoning for Republican and Agent Orange sins for the past 364 days.

Let’s all pledge to be kind to one another and act thoughtfully.

That’s the best, most effective way, no matter your religious beliefs, to cleanse your soul and start anew.

And, I will guarantee that you will definitely be Inscribed and Sealed for a Good Year by acting responsibly and Voting in the midterm elections.